seek - 水中交差点 (2006)
seek (currently bassist in Mix Speaker's, Inc., formerly in Psycho le Cému) used to be one of my favourite Japanese musicians (along with Merry's Gara that is) and he still is, even if I do not like his new band Mix Speaker's, Inc., and therefore did not make the effort to keep up with what he's been doing in the last two anda half years.
Back in 2006, I regularly used to translate the entries he posted in his blog 水中交差点 / Underwater Café as well as some chapters of his book 凡人水族園 / Ordinary Person's Aquarium though. And since seek's entries in his blog are indeed very interesting to read for anybody who likes seek and/or Psycho le Cému, I figured I'd upload these translations here as well.
Well then, on to the 2006 blog entries...
* * * * *
2006/08/22 - 21:47:09
I had a business meeting with the designer [working on 「凡人水族園」]. We have decided on the entire illustrations - when I saw them, I almost doubled over in joy.
Besides, this summer, I am very much into drinking cold Coke. That’s why I felt like taking a picture of a cold Coke. I really like the colour this time. You can take very beautiful pictures with the latest keitais. But I still want to have a better camera. A digital camera with single-lens reflex.
Lately, I didn’t write anything in my blog but about my work.
In September, I would like to go away, to escape from reality.
Cambodia.
Vietnam.
To a ranch.
Nasu Plateau.
To an aquarium.
To the movies.
Okinawa.
America.
To a café.
Take a lot of pictures.
There’s room for that in life.
Room for the heart.
2006/09/27 - 13:57:44
My mother and I went to my sister's house this morning, but nobody was home
so mom and I were having breakfast together.
The rice field right behind the house is in bloom now and I think it's beautiful.
At noon, we ate Temaki-sushi with my sister and her husband.
Unfortunately, I have to take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo this evening
because I need to work - which means I won't get to see my niece.
That was my journey to Kansai.
2006/09/27 - 17:39:08
The rain has stopped and left clear autumn weather.
Has it even been a typhoon?
When you look at the latest news, you see how much the world is changing. On the train, I read in the sports newspaper of the man opposite me that Tanba Tetsurou [Note: Japanese film maker/producer] died and that we now finally have decided upon our new Prime Minister. I contemplated this [the representation of our country] while I thought about the recording of the next "Fish Dance Show" tomorrow. I will play Takepii-san. By the way, Wizard's Hiroto-kun always invites Takepii, but I haven't done so even once. So, tomorrow I'll think about inviting him.
I'm already waiting for the shy chat these two people will have [Note: I guess with the "two people" he means himself and Takepii, but I'm not entirely sure.].
What autum will we have later this year? Please let it be an autumn for everyone. [Note: No idea what he exactly means with this...]
Best regards.
2006/09/29 - 02:14:45
I don't stop sneezing in this place here; at first I thought it's something more dangerous [Note: He's saying something about "leprosy" ^.~], but now I got to know that you can get hay fever even in autumn.
Buuhuu. That's a disaster.
My flat is dirty [Note: As in polluted by pollen, I assume.] and it's getting really serious.
Well, but I invited Takepii to my radio show today!
Takepii.
Takepii.
Takepii.
Will you listen to it, everybody?
The "Fish Dance Hour" is on every second and fourth Thursday of the month between 10 and 11 p.m.!
Until then...best regards.
2006/09/30 - 03:46:22
Yesterday night my mother told me that my older sister finally and safely gave birth; it must have been pretty hard.
Anyhow, everything went well and I am happy.
2006/09/30 - 03:48:14
It's ready!!!
Finally, I received 「凡人水族園」 from the print office.
Today I did nothing but write autographs.
At 10 p.m. I was finally done - after six hours of signing.
As far as I know, the books will be distributed at the beginning of next week, so I think everybody will get their hands on them in time.
Anyhow, I would like you to read it.
2006/10/11 - 12:00:41
The recent fatigue accumulates.
Should I be worried?
It's so terribly strange.
I'm getting nervous.
When I got to town, I saw people meandering in the streets [Note: I guess he means that everybody walked around emotionlessly, almost blank], and also when I went into the store, the shop assistant talked politely like a machine with no feelings, shoulder hit shoulder. You might all laugh frivolously that I even have such thoughts.
I went to the live of a certain band.
The concert was truly lovely.
And I got to share this time with people who make such beautiful music.
It made me really happy. Actually, I even cried a little.
2006/10/15 - 15:27:06
I've been running around like mad [= He had a lot to do].
Today I'm exhausted again, like I've been for I don't know how many days, so first of all I ate grilled fish.
It feels like autum.
Today, I have a recording for a presentation at the radio.
But now I'll go take a bath.
2006/11/13 - 21:12:51
Winter clothing
Last week I thought I will come down with a cold, but then I didn’t.
However, today I made a punch from spinach and rapeseed for 50 Yen in order to get into a better mood.
And I bought a hat.
That’s winter clothing.
2006/11/16 - 01:27:51
[It starts off with seek getting into detail about the recording he did for the broadcasting of Fish Dance Hour on the radio. I’m too lazy to translate all of it, but he mentions that one of the people who participated in the show (a certain drummer called Yuki) was late due to a concert, but the talk for the radio show went well, even if seek cannot really remember anything of it. After it was all done, they (4 people all in all) went to eat ramen together.]
Today, I would like to say something to my fans - so, here goes.
I have not yet decided what exactly will happen during the Instore Event for the publication of 「凡人水族園」, taking place at Like an Edison on November 4. After Psycho and Isabelle stopped their activity, I am really grateful that I get to participate in many sessions and to get the chance to raise my voice, even if I don’t fully understand why this happens [that he even gets to do an own event], all I ever dreamed of was to publish my book, nothing more. This first educational solo period will come to an end soon. I’m truly truly thankful to everybody who was somehow attached to me during this last half year. So many of you sent me warm, encouraging words. Thank you.
During this solo period, I got to contemplate things again.
I wanna play the bass.
I wanna compose.
I wanna write lyrics.
And articles.
I wanna open a café.
If I tried to list everything I’d like to do, there would be a whole mountain of things.
Now, I want to be a band man.
That’s my current dream.
I will forever be Psycho le Cému’s bassist.
The fact that I wrote 「凡人水族園」 does not change anything at all.
However, as the band man seek I would like to take a new road.
Even if we will all be able to share many short moments together [in the future], what I have to say now is not so pleasant.
I will take a break from being on stage, but please wait for me!
In order not to forget your faces, I will take a careful look at all of you during the event on November 4.
Please all do take a close look at my face as well.
I’ll update my blog almost everyday, so I’d be glad if you came to check on it regularly.
Okay, then. Please remember me. seek deshita.
2006/11/16 - 02:42:31
Completely
This is the calculator for impulsive buying.
Until now I had three calculators at home.
With this one I have four.
I can calculate many things with it.
Such as money.
And money.
And money.
It’s a trader.
With a black belly.
2006/11/16 - 02:47:49
Peta
Seems as if we have a new feature here.
You can leave a mark when you read someone’s blog. [That’s what they call “Peta”.]
In the middle of the night I secretly read everybody’s blogs.
I’ve been peeping.
This is seek of shady and damp places.
2006/12/12 - 19:20:53
In a pallid room
Because I got up early (today), I sat in front of my PC almost without moving (the whole day).
I went to the toilet once and Sagawa Express* brought me recharge-ink for my printer.
On the picture you can see the ashtray I recently bought at the dry goods store. I don’t honestly use it, but doesn’t it give the impression of someone who is fashion-conscious? [I’m not sure if I got this sentence right, I’m sorry.]
Right now I’m reading Ooken-sans** “Gummi · Chocolate · Pine - the Pine-book”.
[Notes:
*Sagawa Express is an express delivery company like DHL or the likes.
**Kenji Ootsuki]
2006/12/28 - 16:51:04
When I wake up
It’s evening.
I didn’t want to.
But because I didn’t have to work I neglected my promise and drank until the morning yesterday.
That’s dangerous.
How can I apologise for this?
How?
I will apologise in a docile way.
Today’s Fish Dance Hour will, under this condition and if the circumstances allow it, be broadcast live for the first time.
Is that all right?
I still wait for your e-mails to come in.
Please tell me how your year was.
2006/12/29 - 11:08:40
This year lasts endlessly
Still three days to go...
Yesterday I got to talk to Taka-san, Masato-san and Ryoo-san from Transtic Nerve on my Internet radio for two hours straight.
I got to hear some news from Himeji I didn’t know about yet, but that wasn’t enough, I really want to hear more again!
Then they told me about their 10-year anniversary and I was deeply impressed.
Transtic Nerve are cool!
Must be the Himeji charisma!
2006 lasts another three days.
In order to be able to drink delicious alcohol on January 1, I will work now.
[ Translations of 2007 blog entries]